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Sixteen donkeys taken in by The Donkey Sanctuary from South Mayo

Donkey welfare adviser David Walsh was recently contacted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Mayo seeking assistance with a donkey welfare case in South Mayo.

Sixteen donkeys in very poor body condition were seized by the department and removed into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary. These neglected donkeys were abandoned in a field with no food and no access to water. Harsh winter weather conditions meant the field they were in was water logged. Alongside the live donkeys, the carcass of a dead donkey was also discovered.

According to David ‘These donkeys were abandoned with no food or water. They had resorted to drinking water from puddles and were trying to eat tree branches because they were so hungry. To see these lovely animals huddled together in misery with a dead donkey in plain sight is horrific’.

All of the rescued donkeys are male with ages varying from two to twenty years. The majority had very long hooves and walked with great difficulty and pain. Many of the group are severely underweight and it will take time and care to return them to their correct weight. All of the donkeys’ coats were matted and filthy and they were a sorry sight to behold.

Noel Carton, Head of Operations Ireland said ‘We are grateful to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Mayo for alerting us to the presence of these donkeys. We can now begin the process of getting them back to full health at The Donkey Sanctuary’.

In mid January, the donkeys were transported to our sanctuary in Liscarroll, Mallow, Co.Cork. Here they were fully assessed and continue to be monitored by the veterinary team. Their hooves have been trimmed by the farrier and their teeth were checked by the equine dental technician. They will be cared for and restored to full health and a brighter future at The Donkey Sanctuary.

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